Abstract:

A refrigeration device comprising a refrigeration circuit that contains an
evaporator, a condenser and a compressor, in addition to electronic
components for operating the refrigeration device. According to the
invention, all the electronic components are combined in an electronic
unit.

Claims:

1-12. (canceled)

13. A refrigeration device comprising a refrigeration circuit containing
an evaporator, a condenser and a compressor, as well as electronic
components for operating the refrigeration device, wherein all the
electronic components are assembled together to form one electronic unit.

14. The refrigeration device according to claim 13, wherein the
refrigeration device comprises a plurality of planar thermally insulated
elements which can be connected to each other and detached from each
other and, when connected, form a housing of the refrigeration device.

15. The refrigeration device according to claim 13, wherein the
electricity supply for the electronic unit derives from a rear wall of
the refrigeration device and/or the refrigeration circuit is arranged on
the rear wall.

16. The refrigeration device according to claim 15, wherein an electrical
contact device is integrated in the rear wall, which device automatically
contacts electrically, during the mechanical connection of the rear wall
to a further planar thermally insulating element, an electrical
counter-contact device integrated in this planar thermally insulated
element.

17. The refrigeration device according to claim 16, wherein both the
electricity supply for the electronic unit and electrical control signals
are conducted from electronic unit to the refrigeration circuit by the
electrical contact/counter-contact device.

18. The refrigeration device according to claim 14, wherein the electronic
unit is fastened to one inner side of one of the planar thermally
insulated elements.

19. The refrigeration device according to claim 18, wherein the electrical
counter-contact device is arranged on the planar thermally insulated
element on which element the electronic unit is also arranged.

20. The refrigeration device according to claim 13, wherein the electronic
unit comprises a lighting device for illuminating the housing interior of
the refrigeration device.

21. The refrigeration device according to claim 20, wherein the
refrigeration device is aligned so that the lighting device is switched
off when the door of the refrigeration device is open and is switched off
when the door is closed.

22. The refrigeration device according to claim 21, wherein the lighting
device can be switched on and off by means of a door opening switch.

23. The refrigeration device according to claim 13, wherein at least one
channel is integrated inside the housing of the refrigeration device for
feeding through an electric cable or a refrigeration circuit connection.

24. The refrigeration device according to claim 23, wherein the channel is
arranged in a planar thermally insulated element to which the electronic
unit is fastened.

Description:

[0001]The invention relates to a refrigeration device comprising a
refrigeration circuit that contains an evaporator, a condenser and a
compressor, in addition to electronic components for operating the
refrigeration device.

[0002]In addition to the refrigeration circuit, a refrigeration device
contains electronic components, such as a control system for maintaining
a theoretical temperature inside the refrigeration device, a temperature
sensor for measuring the current temperature, or a lighting system inside
the housing of the refrigeration device. The electronic components are
normally installed at different points inside or on the refrigeration
device and are connected to electric cables. The cables are laid inside
the housing of the refrigeration device in the form of cable trees, for
example, by packing them in plastic foam in the housing during its
manufacture, for example.

[0003]The object of this invention is therefore to construct a
refrigeration device in such a manner that the number of electric cables
to be laid is reduced.

[0004]The object of the invention is achieved by a refrigeration device
comprising a refrigeration circuit containing an evaporator, a condenser
and a compressor, in addition to electronic components for operating the
refrigeration device, characterised in that all the electronic components
are assembled together to form one electronic unit. By assembling all the
electronic components of the refrigeration device together to form one
single electronic unit, conditions are created for reducing the number of
electric cables. The electronic components include, for example, a
temperature sensor, the temperature control electronics, a setting device
for setting the theoretical temperature or a lighting device for
illuminating the interior of the housing.

[0005]According to an embodiment of the refrigeration device of the
invention this is a modular refrigeration device which comprises a
plurality of planar thermally insulated elements which can be connected
to each other and detached from each other and, when connected, form a
housing of the refrigeration device. One advantage of this embodiment is
that the refrigeration device according to the invention, when
disassembled, i.e. dismantled, can be delivered to an end consumer, for
instance, so that the latter can assemble the planar thermally insulated
element, which include, for example, two lateral elements, one bottom
element, one ceiling element and a rear wall, to form one functional
refrigeration device. However, planar thermally insulated elements may,
for example, also be a combination of one lateral element and one ceiling
element, i.e. a planar thermally insulated element is part of the housing
of the refrigeration device. The individual planar thermally insulated
elements may each comprise an inner lining and an outer lining, which
enclose a cavity filled with thermal insulation material. If the rear
wall is to be designed in a particularly compact manner, it may comprise
a recess arranged in the lower region of the rear wall, in which recess
the compressor is fastened. The size of the recess is preferably adapted
to the spatial expansions of the compressor, and therefore preferably
does not extend throughout the width of the rear wall. To enable the
compressor to discharge exhaust heat to the air surrounding the assembled
refrigeration device, the recess can be made accessible from the outside
of the housing.

[0006]If the electricity supply for the electronic unit derives from the
rear wall on which the refrigeration circuit is possibly arranged, as
provided for according to a further variant of the refrigeration device
of the invention, the cost of the electricity supply to the entire
refrigeration device can then be minimised and the refrigeration device
can therefore be designed as compactly as possible.

[0007]If the refrigeration device according to the invention is a modular
refrigeration device, provision is made, in particular, for it to be
assembled by a customer him/herself at home, for example. In addition to
a mechanical connection of the planar thermally insulated elements, it
may also be necessary, according to the design, to make any electrical
connections, e.g. connecting an electric cable from the refrigeration
control system to the refrigeration circuit. Such an electrical
connection can be made relatively easily when, according to a preferred
embodiment of the refrigeration device of the invention an electronic
contact device is integrated in the rear wall, which device automatically
contacts electrically, during the mechanical connection of the rear wall
to a further planar thermally insulated element, an electrical
counter-contact device integrated in this planar thermally insulated
element. Such a contact/counter-contact device is, for example, an
electrical plug-socket device, and it is advantageous for the contact
device to be fastened to the point on the rear wall which lies adjacent
to the further planar thermally insulated element after connection.

[0008]To ensure, in the case of the modular refrigeration device, that the
refrigeration device according to the invention has as few electrical
connection points as possible, both the electricity supply for the
electronic unit and electrical control signals from the electronic unit
to the refrigeration circuit are conducted according to one embodiment
via the electrical contact and counter-contact device combination.

[0009]According to a variant of the refrigeration device of to the
invention the electronic unit is fastened to one inner side of one of the
planar thermally insulated elements so that this unit is only accessible
when the door of the refrigeration device is open. The electronic unit is
suitably fastened to the ceiling element or to one of the lateral
elements.

[0010]According to one embodiment of the refrigeration device of the
invention the electrical counter-contact device is arranged on the planar
thermally insulated element on which the electronic unit is also
arranged. Since the counter-contact device interacts with the contact
device fastened to the rear wall the refrigeration device according to
the invention then requires only one single electrical connection to
connect the entire refrigeration device electronics to the refrigeration
circuit. This facilitates not only the assembly of the modular
refrigeration device but also reduces the production expenditure and
hence also the production costs.

[0011]In order to reduce the electricity consumption of the refrigeration
device of the invention the lighting device is switched on when the door
of the door element is open and is switched off when the door is closed
according to a variant of the refrigeration device according to the
invention. The lighting device is switched on and off by means of a door
opening switch, for example.

[0012]In order to reduce the cost of laying the electric cables, for
example, a channel is integrated, according to a further variant of the
refrigeration device of the invention, inside the housing for feeding
through an electric cable. This channel may, for example, have the form
of an empty tube or may also be provided for feeding through a
refrigeration circuit connection. The channel is advantageously laid in
the planar thermally insulated element to which the electronic unit is
also fastened. It is particularly advantageous for one end of the channel
to lead to the electronic unit and for the other end of the channel to
lead to the counter-contact. device, so that both the electricity supply
for the electronic unit and the electric cable for the electrical control
signals transmitted by the electronic unit for the refrigeration circuit
can be conducted in the same channel. This results in a relatively
clearly arranged and simple electric cable routing. It is also
advantageous for the channel to run in the rear wall and for one end of
the channel to terminate at the electrical contact device so that the
electricity supply for the electronic unit and the electric cable for the
electrical control signals transmitted by the electronic unit for the
refrigeration circuit again to be run in this channel.

[0013]An exemplary embodiment of a refrigeration device according to the
invention, which in this exemplary embodiment is a modular refrigeration
device, is represented by way of example in the following diagrammatic
figures, where:

[0014]FIG. 1 shows the modular refrigeration device when assembled,

[0015]FIG. 2 shows the rear wall with the refrigeration circuit of the
refrigeration device shown in FIG. 1,

[0016]FIG. 3 shows the ceiling element with an electronic unit of the
refrigeration device shown in FIG. 1,

[0017]FIG. 4 shows the rear wall and the bottom element detached from one
another,

[0021]FIG. 8 shows the housing and a door of the refrigeration device
unassembled, and

[0022]FIG. 9 shows the housing of the refrigeration device with partially
assembled door.

[0023]FIG. 1 shows a modular refrigeration device 1 according to the
invention in the assembled, operational condition. Refrigeration device 1
comprises, in this exemplary embodiment, two lateral walls 2 and 3, a
ceiling element 4, a bottom element 5, a rear wall 6 and a door 7, which
have been assembled together to form refrigeration device 1. Both lateral
walls 2 and 3, ceiling element 4, bottom element 5 and rear wall 6 form
in this exemplary embodiment housing G of refrigeration device 1, which
can be sealed with door 7. An inner device of refrigeration device 1,
e.g. drawers or shelves, is not shown in greater detail in the figures.
However, a ribbed area R for receiving shelves is shown. Ribbed area R
was produced in this exemplary embodiment during a drawing or injection
process of the inner lining of lateral walls 2 and 3 surrounding a
thermal insulation material. Both lateral walls 2 and 3, ceiling element
4, bottom element 5, rear wall 6 and door 7 are connected to each other
so that they can also be detached from each other again.

[0024]Both lateral walls 2 and 3, ceiling element 4, bottom element 5,
rear wall 6 and door 7 are designed as planar thermally insulated
elements and each comprise, in this exemplary embodiment, an inner and an
outer lining which enclose a cavity filled with a thermal insulation
material. In this exemplary embodiment the thermal insulation material is
an insulating foam 12. FIG. 2 shows in further detail, by way of an
example, rear wall 6 with its inner lining 6a and its outer lining 6b.

[0025]Furthermore, the entire refrigeration circuit of refrigeration
device 1 is fastened to rear wall 6. The refrigeration circuit comprises
essentially an evaporator 8, a condenser 9, a compressor 10, cables not
shown in further detail in the figures connecting evaporator 8, condenser
9 and compressor 10, and a refrigerant not shown in greater detail. Both
evaporator 8 and condenser 9, which in this exemplary embodiment are
tube-on-plate heat transmitters which, in this exemplary embodiment are
of essentially identical design, are connected in foam to the insulating
foam 12 of rear wall 6. Evaporator 8 is here in heat conducting contact
with inner lining 6a, and condenser 9 is in heat conducting contact with
outer lining 6b. This enables condenser 9 to discharge its heat
relatively effectively to the air surrounding refrigeration device 1 and
enables evaporator 8 to cool the interior of housing G of refrigeration
device 1 relatively effectively. This also renders it possible to arrange
as much insulating foam 12 as possible between evaporator 8 and condenser
9, as a result of which condenser 9 heats evaporator 8 as little as
possible.

[0026]In this exemplary embodiment rear wall 6 comprises a recess 6c
arranged in the lower region of rear wall 6, in which recess compressor
10 is fastened. Recess 6c is designed so that it is accessible from
outside housing G of refrigeration device 1, so that compressor 10 is
able to discharge its heat relatively effectively to the air surrounding
housing G. In this exemplary embodiment recess 6c does not extend
throughout the width of housing G. Compressor 10 is also supplied with
electricity by means of a mains cable 13.

[0027]In this exemplary embodiment the refrigeration circuit was tested
before delivery of the disassembled refrigeration device 1 and is fully
functional, i.e. refrigeration device 1 is operational as soon as it is
assembled and connected to an electricity mains. In this exemplary
embodiment refrigeration device 1 also comprises an electronic unit 14 in
which all the electronic components of refrigeration device 1 are
assembled. Electronic unit 14 is shown in further detail in FIG. 3. In
this exemplary embodiment the electronic components comprise a regulating
and control unit, not shown in detail, for regulating the inside
temperature of refrigeration device 1, a temperature sensor 15 required
for this regulation, inputting means 16 for setting the required
theoretical temperature of refrigeration device 1, and a lighting system
16a for illuminating the interior of housing G. In this exemplary
embodiment electronic unit 14 is fastened to the inner surface of ceiling
element 4 and comprises a switch 17 which interacts with door 7 so that
lighting system 16 is switched on when door 7 is open and switched off
when door 7 is closed.

[0028]In order to regulate the temperature of refrigeration device 1
electronic unit 14 is electrically connected to compressor 10 when
refrigeration device 1 is assembled. In this exemplary embodiment this
electrical connection comprises an electric cable 30, which runs in a
channel running in ceiling element 4 of refrigeration device 1, which
channel is an empty tube 31 in this exemplary embodiment, an electric
cable 32, which in this exemplary embodiment runs in a channel running in
rear wall 6, which in this exemplary embodiment is an empty tube 33, and
an electrical contact and counter-contact device which, in this exemplary
embodiment, is an electrical plug-socket device. Socket 34a of the
plug-socket device is in this case fastened to ceiling element 4 and plug
34b of the plug-socket device is in this case fastened to rear wall 6.

[0029]In this exemplary embodiment empty tube 33 is packed in insulating
foam 12 of rear wall 6 and empty tube 31 is packed in the insulating foam
of ceiling element 4. One end of empty tube 31 integrated in ceiling
element 4 leads to electronic unit 14, and the other end of empty tube 31
leads to socket 34a. One end of empty tube 33 integrated in rear wall 6
leads to recess 6c and the other end of empty tube 33 leads to plug 34b.
Electric cable 30 running in empty tube 31 electrically connects
electronic unit 14 to socket 34a, electric cable 32 running in empty tube
33 connects compressor 10 electrically to plug 34b, and plug 34b and
socket 34a are designed so that when plugged together electronic unit 14
is electrically connected to compressor 10 so that electronic unit 14
activates compressor 10 according to the set theoretical temperature and
the actual temperature measured with temperature sensor 15.

[0030]An electricity supply provided for electronic unit 14, in the form
of electric cables 35 and 36, which are also laid in empty pipes 31 and
33 and are connected to each other by the plug-socket device. Current
supply 37 required for generating the low voltage is secured in recess 6c
of rear wall 6 in this exemplary embodiment.

[0031]The assembly of refrigeration device 1 is now explained in further
detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 9. To obtain housing G of
refrigeration device 1, bottom element 5 and rear wall 6 are first
connected to furniture fittings 40 in this exemplary embodiment.
Furniture fittings 40 are designed so that bottom element 5 and rear wall
6 can also be detached from each other, i.e. housing G can also be taken
apart. Some of furniture fittings 40 are shown in more detail in FIG. 4.
FIG. 4, in conjunction with FIG. 5, also illustrate, by way of example,
how rear wall 6 and bottom element 5 are connected to each other by means
of some of furniture fittings 40.

[0032]In this exemplary embodiment furniture fittings 40 each comprise a
metal pin 40a, which is provided with a thread 40b. In this exemplary
embodiment thread 40b is, for example, screwed into holes 41 predrilled
in rear wall 6 by means of a screwdriver, not shown. One of metal pins
40a' is also shown in the unscrewed condition in FIG. 4. The remaining
metal pins 40a, shown in FIG. 4, are however shown as already screwed
into rear wall 6.

[0033]After metal pins 40a have been screwed into rear wall 6, bottom
element 5, which in this exemplary embodiment comprises predrilled holes
42 corresponding to metal pins 40a, is presented to rear wall 6 in the
direction of arrow 43 so that metal pins 40a screwed into rear wall 6 are
inserted into holes 42 of bottom element corresponding to them. Metal
pins 40a are then provided with lock nuts 40c, using the screwdriver, so
that rear wall 6 and bottom element 5 are fixedly connected to each
other, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0034]After bottom element 5 and rear wall 6 have been fixedly connected
to each other by means of furniture fittings 40, further metal pins 40a
are screwed into rear wall 6 in holes predrilled for this purpose. These
screwed in metal pins 40a are shown in FIG. 6 in the screwed connection.
Ceiling element 4 is then presented to rear wall 6 in the direction of
arrow 50 so that metal pins 40a are inserted into holes in ceiling
element 4, not shown in FIG. 6, corresponding to them. By inserting metal
pins 40a of rear wall 6 into the holes of ceiling element 4, socket 34a
and plug 34b fastened to rear wall 6 are also aligned to each other in
such a manner that they are automatically connected to each other when
ceiling element 4 and rear wall 6 are joined together, so that the
electrical contact is made between compressor 10 and electronic unit 14.
Finally metal pins 40a are provided with lock nuts 40c so that rear wall
6 and ceiling element 4 are fixedly connected together.

[0036]In addition, two further fittings 70 and 71 are each screwed onto
the lower side of housing G with two screws 72. One of fittings 71 is
provided with a pin 73 with which door 7 of refrigeration device 1 can be
fastened in a swivelling manner. As illustrated in FIG. 8, door 7 is
first placed on pin 73 of fitting 71 for fastening door 7 to housing G.
Door 7 is provided with a suitable hole 74 for this purpose.

[0037]A further fitting 80 is then screwed by means of screws 81 onto the
upper side of housing G, as can be seen in FIG. 9. Fitting 80 comprises a
pin 82, which is inserted in a further hole 83 in door 7.

[0038]In this exemplary embodiment evaporator 8 and condenser 9 are
essentially identical tube-on-plate heat transmitters. In particular,
different tube-on-plate heat transmitters may also be used for evaporator
8 and condenser 9. Other types of heat transmitters are also conceivable
for evaporator 8 and condenser 9. A roll-bond evaporator is particularly
suitable for this purpose.

[0039]The refrigeration device according to the invention need not
necessarily be a modular refrigeration device, as has been described by
way of example. A refrigeration device according to the invention may
also have a conventional housing, i.e. a housing which cannot be taken
apart again.